Sweden is the first country to completely revolutionise waste management, resorting to waste imports to keep its state-of- the-art recycling plants running. Over 99.7% of waste is recycled into new products, raw materials, heat or gas. Sweden’s Scania pioneered the concept of ‘Local waste to Local fuel’ in India by launching the country’s first ethanol-run ‘green bus’ in Nagpur. Scania has successfully run the pilot and 55 more buses are being introduced.1.2

2. QUALITY AIR

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2. QUALITY AIR

Sweden reserves the top spot on the list of countries with cleanest air.2 India could explore adopting Sweden’s environmental regulations and technology to achieve the same. An exceptional solid waste management system combined with major reduction in use of fossil fuels for generating electricity and powering cars has helped Sweden hold its title.

3. URBAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

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3. URBAN MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

Sweden is a leader in making mobility more efficient, safer and friendlier. The country achieves this from real time information systems, smart parking, electric vehicle charging stations, air filtration and waste management solutions, among others. India has already taken steps towards implementing mobility solutions. Two Swedish automobile companies, Scania and Volvo, drive hybrid and green buses in India with low-floor to promote public transport as the first choice for citizens.

4. SAFETY & SECURITY

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4. SAFETY & SECURITY

Safety and security is of utmost importance in Sweden. It covers a large ambit which includes the metro network, city surveillance, logistics control systems, air, maritime, road & railways transport, home security, among others. Saab facilitates functioning of many airports in India, including Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Saab’s smart control system provides photographs of the airport surface traffic even in extreme weather conditions and improves operational efficiency.

5. CONNECTIVITY & COMMUNICATION

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5. CONNECTIVITY & COMMUNICATION

Smart cities are built on a smart network. As the second most capital intensive tech-hub in the world, Sweden can support India’s Smart Cities with its connectivity and communication technology expertise. This ranges from WiFi hotspots inbuilt in city infrastructure, wireless vehicle connectivity and cloud computed control to command centres for public safety and e-governance.5.1 Did you know that Sweden is often referred to as the first cashless society? By 2020, every transaction to take place in Sweden could be digitised.5.2

6. PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT

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6. PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT

Citizen involvement in governance is essential to make cities smarter. Policy makers must carve a space for grassroot participation in decision making, whether in infrastructure, clean air, connectivity and beyond. In India, platforms like MyGov.in and smartphone apps encourage community feedback in planning decisions. Echoing the same sentiment, Swedish Minister Mehmet Kaplan, said, “Besides the participation of architects, town planners and environmentalists, people too must be involved, they must decide what they want”.6